Sia

When Brian sees Justin in backroom after Justin wins KOB competition, he is surprised, shocked, jealous, hurting that Justin has such confidence, that he left him behind and went with the trick. That means he certainly has some feelings for him and probably realizes it on certain level not only because of his expressions that evening but also because in the next episode he wants to move to NYC and I think his intention to move away was at least partially or subconsicously motivated by him realizing his bond to Justin became more serious. Because anytime relationship with Justin gets more serious or should proceed to next level, Brian backtracks out of fear of commitment.

Regarding next morning in diner and secret look - its because Justin is using same innuendo that he learnt from Brian - when Brian brought Justin to the school morning after their first night together, Justin asked him when he could see him again and Brian told him, he would see him in his dreams. so now hearing that from Justin, certainly amazed Brian and showed again Justins ability to challenge Brian and become his equal.

SojournHeart11

Sia: Right. Justin touched something deep within Brian in a way that nobody else was as successful of achieving before. Justin walk into his life for a reason, it's like one man's soul was tailor-made for other man's soul, and they were just two parts joining. They were definitely made for each other. I cannot really imagine Brian having fallen for someone else in such a visceral, emotionally passionate kind of way the way he did for his "sunshine".

I believe when Justin cried on Brian's shoulders that time, expressing how much he didn't want Brian to leave, something had to have clicked within Brian's thinking that he could - Like never before - actually would be not only SO loved, but also very needed by someone else. And that someone else was Justin.

fmaldy24

I find that scene where he cries on his shoulder so interesting because Brian has just said he would go and not look back and he Justin should do the same but then he hugs him and holds him which is not something you do with someone you want to forget. It's like he's saying one thing but really feels another. And Justin has just said oh the boy who thinks he's in love with you - I wonder if Brian had heard that before?

Sia

Thats right, its probably first time Justin says it to Brian. Before he said it to his parents, Daphne and Michael. But not to Brian I think.
He hugged him because he to calm him and certainly had feeling for him. BUT maybe he wanted to forget him because he was starting to be terrified that he is falling in love with him. SO he chose to escape rather than deal with it. Does not mesn he would have been able to forget but maybe at that moment it wqs his intention.

fmaldy24

Yeah I think it was one of his coping mechanisms and to pretend his feelings weren't really there or not happening. I think he tries to say he loves him at the car the night after they meet but Brian won't let him get it out then

Sia

Yeh, Brian immediately says he does not believe love so Justin does not have a chance

fmaldy24

Oh how Sunshine changes his mind and his life from those first days when all he believed in was sex. Even in the first season from things like that hug to the prom To being the person he sleeps with more than once - it all changes so quickly for Brian - maybe that was part of it - it all happened so fast - but then again love can

Sia

Yes, but he was in denial long time. But had feelings for him from vers early on. And before noone else loved him so much that he would persist through all his bull****.

fmaldy24

It's true no one else saw through his bull and could be bothered - his friends just let him be the same instead of seeing him changing.

After his home life it's no wonder he wanted to deny love though - it would be a scary thing to feel happening.

Sia

Yes, he never experienced unconditional love from his parents

SojournHeart11

The only reason he wanted to take that trip in the first place was because he felt as though Pittsburg was a suckish place to be, though it wasn't all bad after all. Had he landed that position in NYC and moved there, he probably would have been lonely without his friends or new lover there to act as support. Nobody is that strong where they absolutely don't need any emotional support.

Sia

Yes, i agree but he would probably deny it and push through. He was at that point not ready to admit hos feeling and need for emptional support

SojournHeart11

Yeah, I think Brian's the type of person who hated feeling strong emotions in such a deep way. To him, it wasn't a good sensation.

fmaldy24

Very true - he acted like he didn't need anyone but he was surrounded by friends and Deb who all gave him support and friendship and he didn't think about how much support and love they gave him without him realising it really. If he had left he would realise what he left behind.

Sia

Because it meant he would lose control, and become vulnerable, which he learnt in his childhood was bad. So he decided he will never allow it again